Lane Splitting

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__________________"They've created a nation of spenders, speculators, and consumers, and they've destroyed the savers, producers, and the investing class that built this country. We're moving from a market-based economy to essentially a planned economy. We're abandoning capitalism and embracing socialism. That's a recipe for disaster." - Peter Schiff

I do it when necessary. Very slow traffic on the highway in 95 degree heat qualifies as necessary to me. I wouldnt do the shoulder though, because it's easier for people to swerve into you if they are so inclined. I've seen that happen to others... If you are in between cars, they will be less likely to swerve as violently as they would with you flying down the emergency lane. plus, there's too much debris to pick up with sticky motorcycle tires in those lanes.

Best thing to do is to put the bike in 2nd gear to keep the noise down and split lanes at a decent but slow pace. If you go too slow, some people will try to block you. If you go too fast, chances are you will hit someone. You cant let your concentration lapse in a lane splitting situation or you will wreck and it will be your fault. Look well ahead of where you are and plan your outs. Merge back into traffic if it starts to look a little tight, you dont want to be stopped in between cars. If something is blocking your path, merge and look for your next opportunity to split.

I dont recommend it, but it can be done safely if you are 100% vigilent, have a fairly small bike (not a cruiser), and are comfortable moving in close quarters to other vehicles at slow speeds. A lot of street riding experience helps tremendously but doesnt guarantee success. And if caught, you are guaranteed a moving violation ticket.. so pick your battles carefully.

__________________"They've created a nation of spenders, speculators, and consumers, and they've destroyed the savers, producers, and the investing class that built this country. We're moving from a market-based economy to essentially a planned economy. We're abandoning capitalism and embracing socialism. That's a recipe for disaster." - Peter Schiff

I would tend to agree. Too many hicks and ignorant people here who treat commute driving as some sort of competition. California drivers are way more tolerant and drive more sensibly than any other area I've been in this country...which is why lane splitting there is pretty much cake, and legal. In Texas, I have heard people tell me they'd love to run over splitting riders. This was from an unassuming little 30 year old female, so imagine the attitude of some skoal chewing jackass from east texas in his lift kitted K5 blazer.

I'll do it in stopped traffic when it's f'ot out. I prefer the shoulder if there is one, because there is more room to maneuver, but, whatever. I go pretty slow when I do it. I see bike cops do it pretty regularly..

Its absolutely sick that people would consider trying to kill a motorcyclist in traffic on purpose, and I'm not going to let that mentality win over rational thought. It's not a matter of getting anywhere quicker, its a matter of baking on the pavement, with a hot engine between my legs and nowhere to pull off for relief. These cagers have air conditioning and comfy seats, and drink holders for their iced mocha lattes.

I wish we could get all the motorcyclists together in houston, and start advertsing on the radio, that after Sept 1 we were ALL going to start lane splitting, and if you don't want us to, then make it illegal, and oh by the way legal action against vehicular assault will be vigourously pursued. We could use the proposed law as guidelines...traffic less than 20 mph, no more than 5 mph over traffic, etc...

I can't stand when other motorcyclists use the shoulder to skip traffic. This is one of the reasons why cagers get off and show motorcyclists no respect. Only time I pass cars is on the HOV lane when traffic is completely stopped and even at that I take the first available exit.

Screw the cages I could give a rats how they feel about me. If they want to ride on the shoulder, then they need to get a bike and worry about cagers trying to kill them all the time.

Bike(s): '14 Honda GROM! 181cc of fury!!
'10 Aprilia Tuono Factory-SOLD
'08 Busa - sold
A few more bought
A few more sold

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diderich

its a matter of baking on the pavement, with a hot engine between my legs and nowhere to pull off for relief. These cagers have air conditioning and comfy seats, and drink holders for their iced mocha lattes.

wah wah wah............

Quote:

Originally Posted by gixxerbill

Screw the cages I could give a rats how they feel about me. If they want to ride on the shoulder, then they need to get a bike and worry about cagers trying to kill them all the time.

CARS SUCK!!!

why should they, can't they follow you onto the shoulder and follow you, are you speical? i mean, i could fit an 18wheeler onto the emergency lane.

i acually asked a cop the other day and he said it was completely ILLEGAL! so split at your own risk. drivers in cali excpect it so they are prepared, drivers here don't excpect it cuase its not legal, so they get and really jealous. lol.

Yeah lane splitting is illegal in most states. Its definately not recommended, but I'd be lieing if I said I never do it. I've only legally split lanes in Los Angeles. And its weird to split a lane and ride around a cop car, and know that they can't do anything about it.

What I dont get with Texas is: You don't need to work a helmet while riding, and they're ok with that. But don't get caught splittin lanes, or you will be ticketed. That makes no sense to me. I would say no helmet is far more dangerous than splitting lanes.